Sinker head for flat full-fashioned knitting machines



March 16, 1954 J. J. SLATTERY 2,672,035

SINKER HEAD FOR FLAT FULL-FASHIONED KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 14, 1952 INVEN- 1 JOHNJ. 51,477 Y BY%/\ HI! ATTOP/YEYJI F I I Patented Mar. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v SINKER HEAD FOR FLAT FULL-FASHIONED KNITTING MACHINES John J. Slattery, Merchantville, N. J. I Application August 14, 1952, Serial No. 304,391

3 Claims.

' 1 The present invention relates to fiat full fashioned knitting machines and is concerned primarily with certain improvements in the press edge of the sinker head'bottom which are designed to eliminate breakage of the beards of the needles which engage thereagainst.

A full fashioned knitting machine includes a sinker head having a bottom that is formed with a plurality of transverse slots each of which accommodates either a sinker or a divider that reciprocates therein. These slots extend through the press edge of the sinker head bottom and define or mark ofi lands. During the ordinary operation of the full fashioned knitting machines, the beards of the needles engage these lands on the press edge and due to this engagement, are closed over the yarn.

Each needle has a beard formed with a point that is inclined back towards the shank of the needle and this inclined point is intended to engage the upper beveled edge of the press edge to start the closingaction- However, in actual practice the engagement is not always what it should be and in many instance the beards of the needles are deformed and break ofl and in other cases the beard are not properly centered or aligned with respect to the shanks. The present invention has in view as its foremost objective the elimination of this breakage of the beards of the needles and a definite assurance that the beards will be properly centered.

An important object of the invention is to provide, in a fiat full fashioned knitting machine, a sinker head bottom hav'ng a press edge that is divided intolands by transverse slots with means for guiding the beards of the needles so that these beards are gradually aligned with the needles on downward motion of the latter.

More in detail the invention has as an object the provision, in a sinker head bottom of a flat full fashioned knitting machine of a vertically arranged V-shaped groove of gradually diminishing cross-section that is located in each land substantially midway between the slots that define that land. Each of these V-shaped grooves has a wide open mouth that is located in the upper beveled edge of the press edge with a crossseetion gradually diminishing to a point that is spaced from the bottom of the press edge. When the point of the beard first enters thi v-shaped slot, it engages one side or the other of the slot and as downward motion of the needle takes place, it is gradually aligned with the needle so that when it reaches the press edge proper, it is accurately positioned for closing over the yarn.

Another important advantage afforded by these grooves is that they are a great aid to an operator in setting up needles in the needle bar. The grooves serve as a guide for the workman in centering the beards.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical improvement will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a sinker head bottom of a flat full fashioned knitting machine having a press edge that is divided into lands by transverse slots with each land of the press edge being formed with a V-shaped groove of gradually diminishing cross-section, having an open mouth that opens onto the upper beveled edge immediately above the press edge.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be hadto the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a view taken as a transverse vertical section through the sinker head of a fiat full fashioned knittin machine, and illustratin the point of the beard of a needle as it is about to eng e the press edge which includes the improvements of this invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view similar'to Figure 1 illustrating the relative position of the needle after the beard has been closed.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of a portion of the sinker head bottom; and

Figure 4 is a top plan view of that portion of the sinker head bottom illustrated in Figure Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts and first more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, a knitting needle of the spring beard type is therein illustrated and referred to in its entirety by the reference character N. These needles N are typical of those which are commonly used in a fiat full fashioned knitting machine. Each needle N comprises a shank it which terminates at its upper end at a hook I l to which is integrally joined a spring beard l2 having a point [3 that is defined by crimp M. It will be noted that the point it is slightly inclined back towards the shank is. In the open position of the needle, there is a yarn space at I5, but this space is closed upon completion of the downward stroke of the needle as illustrated in Figure 2.

The flat full fashioned knitting machine includes a. sinker head, which is referred to in its entirety by the reference character H. The sinker head H comprises a cap or top It, and a bottom IT. The bottom I! is formed with a plurality of transverse vertical slots l8. Thesinker head bottom I i also has an exposed edge surface at H, which is known as the press edge. Immediately above this press edge l9 there is a beveled edge 20. The slots is are carried through this beveled edge 21! and also through the press edge 19, although they do not reach the bottom of the latter as illustrated in Figure 3.

These slots 58 mark ofi or define in the press edge IS a plurality of lands 2|, thus, there is a slot I8 on each side of each land 2|. 7

Formed in each land 2| is a vertically arranged v-shaped groove of gradually diminishing cross-section. Each of these grooves is referred to in its entirety by the reference character G. Each groove G is made up of a pair of inclined side walls 22' and 23 which meet at the bottomat an. apex 24 with the side Walls coming together at a point 25, which it will be noted is spaced at an appreciable distance above the'bottom of the press edge i3. Each groove G also includes upper inclined edges -26 and 2?, which are located on the beveled edge 29. Thus, each groove G has an open mouth that is located inthebeveled edge 26, and hasa V-shaped'crosssection which. gradually diminishes to the point 25. v

While the manner in which one of these grooves G. functions as a guide for the beard point l3 of one ofthe needles N is beiieved to be obvious from the illustration of the drawing and description of parts given, it may be briefly outlined as. follows:

Upon referring to. Figure 1, it will be noted that as a needle. N beginsv its downward stroke, the beard point. E3 will enter the wide-open-mouth of the groove G. It-may be assumed that this beard point [.3 is: not at this stage in accurate alignment with theshank l9. Thus,.-it will engage one of the surfaces 22 or 23 of the groove. As-downward. movement is continued, the incline ofthesurfacewith which the beard 'point' engages will gradually bring the beard point into alignment with the shank it] ofthe needle. Thus, when the beard point reaches the. press edge l9 proper, it will be accurately aligned, with the shank of theneedle and will close over the yarn 1 and. assumetheposition depicted'in Figure 2.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is herein set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction and design of the grooves because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a flat full fashioned knitting'machine, including a sinker head having a bottom formed with a press edge, said press edge being provided with a plurality of. vertically arranged V -shaped grooves. of gradually diminishing cross-section with the widest part of each groove being upwardly disposed.

2. Ina fiat full. fashioned knitting machine, including a sinker head having a bottom formed with a press edge, a beveled edge over said press edge and a plurality of vertical transverse slots defining lands on said press edge, the improvement consisting of a vertically arranged V- shaped groove of gradually diminishing crosssection formed, in each of said lands With the widest part of each groove opening into said beveled edge.

3. In a flat full fashioned knitting machine, including a sinker head having a bottom formed with a press edge, a beveled edge over saidpress edge and a plurality of vertical transverse slots defining lands on said press edge, the improve ment consisting of a vertically arranged vshaped groove of gradually diminishing crosssection formed in each of said lands, each of said grooves being defined by inclined side surfaces which meet at an apex which terminates at a point in the face of the land spaced from the bottom thereof, with each of said-surfaces having an upper edge located-in said beveled edge.

4 0 JOHN J. ,sLA'rT-ERY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES'PATENTS 45 Number Name Date 754,607. Lasher July 12, 1904 1,033,723 Nebel July 23, 1912 1,398,821. Wilcomb Nov. 29, 1921 2,243,850. Amidon June 3, 1941 

